The
HIV/AIDS epidemic is a very large problem in Namibia.
Namibia’s infection rate is one of the highest
on the continent and it shares its eastern border with
Botswana which has the highest rate of almost 39%. In
2001, there were an estimated 210,000 people living
with HIV/AIDS, and the estimated death toll in 2003
was 16,000 . In urban Namibia, Malaria is also a pressing
problem. The malaria problem seems to be compounded
by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Research has shown in Namibia,
that the risk of contracting malaria is 14.5% greater
if a person is also infected with HIV. The risk of death
from malaria is also raised by approximately 50% with
a concurrent HIV infection. Given infection rates this
large as well as a looming malaria problem, it may be
very difficult for the government to deal with both
the medical and economic impacts of this epidemic.